7/13/2015
Preparing a Manuscript for
the JACMP (or any other journal,
for that matter)
George Starkschall, PhD
Learning Objectives
After attending this presentation, the
participant will:
• Be able to prepare a well-written manuscript
suitable for publication in the JACMP or any other
peer-reviewed journal.
Target audience
• All medical physicists who have
done work worth sharing
– Which is really most of you
• You have done the work, now how do
you communicate it to others?
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Before you begin to write
• Your role is to communicate
knowledge and experience
• Know your audience
– For JACMP, it is the clinical medical
physicist
– Do not pitch manuscript over your
readers’ heads
– Do not talk (write) down to your reader
While you write
• Write in clear English
– S Pinker, The Sense of Style
– Strunk & White is outdated!
• Define all acronyms the first time
they are being used
• Be specific with your verbiage
• Get your words right!
Get your words right!
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Where to submit
• Clinical – audience is physicists
– JACMP
• Clinical – audience is physicists and
physicians
– Red Journal
– Radiology
• Scientific
– Medical Physics
– PMB
Format of manuscript
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Abstract
Introduction
Methods and Materials
Results
Discussion
Conclusions
Acknowledgments
Appendices/Supplementary Files
Order of writing manuscript
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Introduction
Methods and Materials
Results
Discussion
Conclusions
Acknowledgments
Appendices/Supplementary Files
Abstract
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Introduction
• What gaps in knowledge does this work
fill?
– Provide sufficient background so reader can
appreciate the work
– Clearly state the problem you propose to solve
– Why is this a problem worth solving?
• Keep Introduction focused
– Save discussion for Discussion section
Methods and Materials
• Describe methodology in sufficient detail
so interested reader can repeat your work
or do similar work
• Identify equipment with generic description
(with brand name in parentheses)
• Be sure to indicate compliance with patient
issues (HIPPA, IRB, etc)
• Use active voice
– “We” is ok
Results
• Display figures, tables, graphs
– Make sure everything is readable
– Include uncertainties
• Use text to interpret
– Do not rehash data
– Point out significant findings
– Identify trends
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Discussion
• Why is this work significant?
• How has our understanding of the
field been enhanced by this work?
• What issues related to this work
should the reader be aware of?
• How could this work be refined?
• Where do we go from here?
Conclusions
• Base conclusions on work done
• Do not speculate – that belongs in
the Discussion
• Do not suggest further work – that
belongs in the Discussion
Acknowledgments
• Identify courtesy authors in
Acknowledgments
• Identify funding sources
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Appendices
• Information relevant to work that
would distract from flow of body of
manuscript
– Derivations
– Extensive background information
Supplementary Files
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Additional data
Downloadable worksheets
Video clips
Possible with online journal
Abstract
• Write Abstract after manuscript has
been completed
• Abstract allows casual reader to
obtain sense of the work without
going into details
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What not to do in Abstract
• Too much information: Do not
rehash the manuscript
– Abstract, not Summary
• Too little information: Do not write
“We will show results”
– Instead, show results
What to do: “8-sentence rule”
• 2 sentences for Purpose
– “The purpose of this work is to …”
• 2 sentences for Methods and
Materials
• 2 sentences for Results
• 2 sentences for Conclusions
Review and Rewrite
• Enlist colleague to read your manuscript
• Sit on manuscript for 1-2 weeks, then reread
• If possible, have copy editor review
manuscript
– Do not rely on journal reviewer
• Be sure you have followed journal’s
formatting rules
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Response to Reviewers
• Explicitly address each point made
by reviewers
• If you disagree with reviewer, explain
why you disagree
• Respond promptly to review
Final Tasks
• Respond promptly to proofreader
– Manuscript is on schedule for
publication
– Delayed response affects production
schedule
• Add manuscript reference to your CV
Take-away Message
• Preparing a manuscript for
publication is a relatively
straightforward procedure
• If you have done work worth sharing,
consider publishing it
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Thank you
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